Climb To The Top Of New Jersey’s Highest Fire Tower For Breathtaking Views

Apple Pie Hill is in the heart of the Pine Barrens, and the highest point in the area. The Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower provides spectacular views of the surrounding woodlands and offers fantastic photo opportunities. It was open to the public regularly, until recently. Thanks to vandals, the tower is now gated and locked. Hikers can still visit, but only when a fire service employee is present.

While this is disappointing, it doesn’t mean the end of public access fire towers in New Jersey. Catfish Fire Tower along the Appalachian Trail in Hardwick is still open to visitors for incredible sightseeing and mountain views for miles. Feel free to visit year-round, and remember to respect the area.

At 60 feet tall, Catfish Fire Tower is not the tallest fire tower in New Jersey. However, at an elevation of 1,555 feet, it is the highest.

The tower offers views up to 10 miles in all directions. (Image: Flickr/adamftw)

It is also one of the oldest fire towers in New Jersey, built in 1922.

Howie Gordon

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of only 800 active fire towers in the United States - there were once more than 8,000. (Image: flashg_93, Facebook/FlashGPhotography)

The views are breathtaking. This foliage shot is amazing!

Howie Gordon

The tower is a 2.5-mile hike from the Mohican Outdoor Center, along the Appalachian Trail. The center offers overnight accommodations and fantastic events like this weekend's yoga and hiking getaway. If you can't make it, there will be another in November. (Image: flashg_93, Facebook/FlashGPhotography)

For a sneak peek of the views, check out this video by YouTube user, Brett Hoffman: